Young Girl Reading "Héloise and Abélard"
1770
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1770
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Young Girl Reading "Héloise and Abélard" is a 1770 chalk by Gilles Demarteau the Elder, a Romanticism work, depicting reading, held at National Gallery of Art.
The painting shows a young girl reading a book. She's seated in a quiet space, lost in thought. The artist included a few subtle details, like the girl's gentle posture and the soft folds of her dress, which suggest a peaceful atmosphere. The girl is reading "Héloise and Abélard", a famous love story. This book was popular in the 18th century, and its presence in the painting gives us a hint about the girl's interests. You can learn more about this style by looking into the technique of chiaroscuro.
